Pakistan's top court Monday found beleaguered Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in contempt for failing to re-open corruption cases, exacerbating a crisis likely to force early elections. The Supreme Court summoned Gilani to appear Thursday, escalating pressure on a weakened government at a time of crippling tensions with the army which some analysts believe could cost Gilani his job. “The Supreme Court has issued a contempt of court notice to the prime minister for not complying with its orders,” Judge Nasirul Mulk told the court which met to debate how to proceed on graft charges against the president. “He has been directed to appear personally on Jan. 19.” It marks only the second time that contempt of court procedures have been initiated against a sitting prime minister in Pakistan. The Supreme Court wants the government to write to Swiss authorities demanding that they re-open corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari after a previous amnesty expired in late 2009. Zardari and his Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leadership have refused to do so, saying the president is immune from prosecution as head of state. “We will consult legal experts and take steps which they consider necessary under law,” Maula Bakhsh Chandio, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, told reporters after the court order. PPP stalwarts have accused the judiciary of over-stepping its reach and colluding with the army to bring down the administration before its tenure ends in 2013. Last year, a Swiss prosecutor said that it would be “impossible” to reopen a case against Zardari since he benefits from immunity as a head of state. Supreme Court judges have outlined six options on how to proceed on graft charges against Zardari — which include finding Gilani in contempt, disqualifying the prime minister and president, and holding early elections. Gilani is likely to seek solace in a confidence vote in the civilian leadership in the lower house of parliament later in the day. The army has carried out three coups in Pakistan, but analysts believe it has no appetite for another direct takeover, instead preferring to force early elections.
